Chef Hua
Chapter 41: Episode 33: The Old Drunkard’s Intentions

Chapter 41: Episode 33: The Old Drunkard’s Intentions

Although Hua Erniang was strong-willed, she was still a woman at heart, tender and full of emotions, particularly prone to crying. With just a few words, tears would fall like broken beads from her eyes, her throat choking with sobs.

In the eastern room, the sickly sweet affection that used to overflow had vanished without a trace, replaced by a biting, desolate cold breeze.

Jing Taihe was always sympathetic towards his wife. Seeing her like this, he immediately panicked, hurriedly using his sleeve to wipe her face and softly pleaded, "Erniang, look at you, aren’t we just discussing things? Please don’t cry, okay? I thought about it on the way back, and it’s definitely not right to leave Xiaomei alone at home during the New Year. How about we let her come with us to my parents’ place..."

This was well-intentioned but only served to pour oil on the fire. Hua Erniang immediately jumped up, discarding her usually sweet demeanor in front of him, and scoffed before he could finish.

"Humph, yeah, and perhaps I should also let my little sister ’conveniently’ prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner there, right? Pah! Xiaomei cooks for us out of the kindness of her heart. Why should she have to listen to your parents’ orders and put up with their nitpicking? It’s inevitable that I suffer some grievances marrying you, but that doesn’t mean my sister has to endure this annoyance as well!"

"Where is this coming from?" Jing Taihe, frantic, was scratching his head, "When did I ever say to let Xiaomei prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner at my parents’ place? In your mind, am I that insensitive? Then what do you suggest we do? On the night of Chinese New Year’s Eve, everyone should be reunited; we can’t just leave Xiaomei alone in this empty courtyard, can we?"

Hua Erniang gave him a severe look: "After all, it’s because you don’t keep your word, going back on your promises!"

"It’s my fault, it’s all my fault." Jing Taihe, seeing no one else around, stepped forward to wrap his arm around her shoulder, cooing softly, "Just bear with it for now; it’s only once a year. Grandma’s getting older, and with each New Year’s Eve, there’s one fewer to come..."

"Don’t give me that!" Hua Erniang twisted out of his embrace, refusing to budge, "In any case, my sister can’t go to your home. Since you’re so capable, think of something else! You..." Her words spun around the same few points, neither willing to leave Hua Xiaomai alone on Chinese New Year’s Eve nor willing to let her join them at the in-laws and be subject to criticism.

Hua Xiaomai stood in the courtyard, looking around and sighing deeply.

It seemed that from the beginning to the end, they had never intended to ask her what she wanted...

In fact, spending New Year’s Eve alone in the Jing Family’s courtyard wasn’t a big deal for her. She was skilled in cooking, so there was no chance she would go hungry, and being alone could even be more carefree.

But it seemed the decision wasn’t up to her.

Ever since traveling to this era, Hua Xiaomai had reminded herself over and over not to indulge in sentimental sorrows, finding it too melodramatic. What mattered most was living well from now on. But now, as Hua Erniang and Jing Taihe argued endlessly over where she should spend the New Year, she suddenly felt a bit sad.

Back at home, during Chinese New Year, it was always the most lively time. Her dad was a fantastic cook, not needing the help of her, a proper Chef School student. He would prepare a delicious New Year’s Eve dinner well in advance, relatives would arrive from all directions, and the whole family would gather around the table, toasting with laughter and ribbing each other playfully...

Such scenes were perhaps gone forever.

"Xiaomai, Xiaomai!"

Lost in thought, she suddenly heard soft calls near her ear. In response, Hua Xiaomai turned to see Pan Grandfather teetering on the wall, waving at her vigorously.

"Tell your sister and brother-in-law to stop quarreling. It’s Chinese New Year, why spoil the mood?" Pan Grandfather said with a chuckle, "If you don’t mind, come to my house on Chinese New Year’s Eve, and spend it with me and Grandma. How about that?"

...

By the end, the matter was resolved in a surprisingly simple manner. On Chinese New Year’s Eve, Hua Erniang would follow Jing Taihe back to their old southern home for the celebration, while Hua Xiaomai would stay up late with Pan Grandpa and Grandma, which was perfect as she could also help them prepare a more lavish New Year’s Eve dinner.

Ever since Hua Erniang and Jing Taihe moved to the west side of Fire Knife Village, they had always received a lot of care from Pan Grandpa and his wife. They had no objections to Hua Xiaomai spending New Year’s with them, but they repeatedly emphasized to Jing Taihe that after midnight on New Year’s Eve, he must immediately return to his own courtyard and not stay over at the old house. Jing Taihe broke out in a sweat from her nagging and didn’t dare to disagree; he could only agree wholeheartedly and, taking the chance while going back to his room for a drink, he surreptitiously bowed twice in the direction of Pan Grandpa’s house.

Considering Hua Erniang and the others would be returning to the old house, Hua Xiaomai thought it would be inappropriate to go empty-handed. So after discussing it with Hua Erniang, she decided to bring out two pieces of pork preserved with pickled mustard a couple of months earlier, along with three or four cabbages to give to Jing Lao die to try.

"I won’t go over to wish my uncle and aunt and grandma a happy new year. It’s enough if you convey my regards, Erjie," she said, smiling at Hua Erniang. "Although these things aren’t expensive, they taste quite nice. After eating too many greasy dishes at the table, having a few bites of this is just refreshing. But I remember you saying that there isn’t a custom of eating like this here, and I’m not sure if uncle and the others will like it."

"You sure know how to play your cards right!" Hua Erniang was still fuming and huffed, "Giving them this, it’s just a waste!"

Despite her words, she didn’t strongly oppose it. The sisters chatted idly in the courtyard when they suddenly heard a set of urgent footsteps coming from outside. Soon after, Guan Rong stepped in.

She seemed to have run all the way from the south end of the village, standing by the door and leaning against the wall to catch her breath for quite a while before she frowned and said loudly, "Xiaomai sister, I just heard that yesterday you had an encounter with that Wei Chef and ..."

Her words trailed off into more breathless gasps.

Hua Erniang was slightly displeased and clicked her tongue before saying, "Sister Guan, what kind of way is that to speak? Can’t you breathe without gasping? Speaking halfway and leaving it hanging, and so loudly at that, if outsiders hear it, they’ll think my sister has been mistreated!"

Guan Rong, frail and timid, shrank immediately upon being scared by her fierce and menacing manner.

"Erjie!" Hua Xiaomai quickly pushed her back into the hall and turned with a smile to Guan Rong, "Don’t be afraid, Rongjie. My Erjie just has a loud voice. She came out of our mother’s womb like that and can’t change."

She actually didn’t really want to meet Guan Rong, as she hadn’t yet decided whether or not to ask about the two hundred copper coins.

If she didn’t ask, there was always a thorn in her heart. Although it might not hurt, it was always uncomfortable; but if she did ask, what was the point? After all, the matter was clear enough as it was.

But Guan Rong seemed truly remorseful, stomping her feet repeatedly and grasping Hua Xiaomai’s hand with an expression of extreme regret, "It’s all my fault, all my fault. If I had known, I never would have recommended you to Li Sange! I heard about it today, my dad scolded me fiercely, saying I almost harmed you, I..."

"How could this be your fault? If there’s anyone to blame, it’s that shameless Wei Chef," Hua Xiaomai said with a faint smile, thinking to herself, But could you really not bear to forgo those two hundred copper coins?

She felt she may have developed some prejudices against Guan Rong, but for the time being, she wasn’t planning on correcting herself.

"Exactly, may he be cast into the frying pan in Hell!" Guan Rong cursed along, then glanced quickly at Hua Xiaomai’s face and tentatively said, "Xiaomai sister, I heard that last night you beat up Wei Chef, and at that time, Yuhuai was right by your side, even told Wei Chef that if he wanted revenge, he should come find him?"